This hydrating toner is formulated around Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Salix Alba Bark Extract to hydrate skin and balance excess oil.
This pore-care toner is formulated around Houttuynia Cordata Extract and Gluconolactone to refine the look of pores and calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
Astringent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningViscum Album Leaf Extract
SoothingJuniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialSaponaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
ChelatingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Obovata Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Betaine, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Viscum Album Leaf Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Terminalia Chebula Fruit Extract, Caesalpinia Sappan Bark Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
Humectant
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAtractylodes Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dianthus Chinensis Extract
HumectantViola Odorata Extract
Skin ConditioningOrthosiphon Stamineus Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin Protecting
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycerin, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Pyrus Malus Juice, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract, Atractylodes Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Dianthus Chinensis Extract, Viola Odorata Extract, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Gluconolactone, Allantoin, Sodium Citrate, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Beta-Glucan, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinBeta-Glucan is a soluble polysaccharide (a chain of glucose sugars) sourced from the cells walls of oats, baker's yeast, mushrooms, and seaweed.
It's a rare ingredient that pulls double-duty as a heavy-duty hydrator and skin-soothing repair agent.
On the surface, it acts as a humectant that holds water in place and reduces moisture loss for a plumper, smoother feel, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great pick for calming redness or sensitive skin
The more interesting story is underneath:
Despite its large molecular size, oat beta-glucan has been shown to penetrate the epidermis and reach the dermis by slipping between skin cells. Here, it interacts with fibroblasts and macrophages to nudge collagen synthesis and support wound repair.
A small 2005 split-face clinical study of 27 subjects found topical beta-glucan produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth, height, and roughness after 8 weeks of use.
It is worth noting the trial was small and the penetration testing used frozen, irradiated skin so the anti-aging data is encouraging rather than definitive.
This ingredient gets along with pretty much everything and is typically used around 0.1-1%.
Fungal acne: This ingredient is not a food source for the Malassezia yeast because it is a glucose polysaccharide with no fatty acid or ester component.
Learn more about Beta-GlucanButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
